SULU — The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC), in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), held a consultation with 35 youth leaders from different youth organizations in Sulu on August 18-20.
Dubbed “Regional and Provincial Youth, Peace and Security Consultation on the Formulation of the National and Regional Action Plan”, the activity was organized to craft possible solutions and recommendations that will address youth, peace and security issues within the Bangsamoro region.
BYC Chairperson Marjanie Macasalong explained that the Commission acknowledges the role of youth participation in the crafting and the implementation of the action plan.
“[There] is a reserved seat for the youth, and that reserved seat, we worked for it so it will be included in the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Macasalong said during his welcome address.
He also emphasized that the Bangsamoro Government prioritizes the youth sector, which gave rise to the establishment of Bangsamoro Youth Coordinating Council (BYCC).
“We have the BYCC which gives us the opportunity to coordinate with other ministries, agencies, and offices whenever they conduct youth programs,” Macasalong said.
BYC Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding of Maguindanao (including Cotabato City and 63 barangays of North Cotabato) who was also present during the activity, explained that they aim to inform the youth regarding the present issues in the region.
“We would really want to deepen the understanding of the youth regarding peace and security issues,” Dunding said in an interview. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
